World’s oldest person Tomiko Itooka passed away at the age of 116 on December 29, 2024 at a care home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture in Japan. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable life that spanned over a century during which she became a symbol of longevity and vitality.
Born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, Japan, Tomiko Itooka was an active and vibrant individual throughout her life. Known for her love of bananas and the yogurt-flavored drink Calpis, She had a reputation for maintaining a lively and spirited personality. She was a volleyball player in her youth and even climbed Mount Ontake twice, a 3,067-meter peak.
Following the death of Maria Branyas on August 19, 2024, Itooka became the world’s oldest person, as verified by Guinness World Records. However, following her passing, the title now belongs to 116-year-old Brazilian nun, Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was born just 16 days after Itooka.
Inah Canabarro Lucas, a Brazilian nun, is now the world’s oldest person, having been born on June 8, 1908.
Tomiko Itooka married at the age of 20 and had two daughters and two sons. She managed her husband’s textile factory office during World War II and after her husband’s death in 1979 she continued to live independently in Nara until her later years. Itooka’s legacy of living a long and healthy life serves as an inspiration to many. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her story will continue to resonate with those who seek to understand the secrets of longevity.
